Autumn Peacock, Narrabundah (Canberra)

A wild Narrabundah peacock pauses in a glowing Canberra autumn street—golden, crisp, and not cold yet—captured in a vibrant modern-impressionist style.
In Narrabundah, Canberra, wild peacocks live right alongside people—appearing at the most ordinary corners of suburbia and turning them into something quietly unforgettable.

This painting continues my Narrabundah series, inspired by the local peacocks that wander near homes, gardens, and footpaths as if they belong there (because they do). In the foreground, a proud peacock stands among sharp green leaves, his iridescent blues and greens echoing the cool shadows of the street. Behind him, Canberra’s early autumn glows—golden, crisp, and not cold yet—with trees bursting into warm reds, oranges, and yellows and fallen leaves scattered like confetti across the road.

I love painting this particular season in Canberra: the light feels cleaner, colours feel richer, and everything seems to slow down—just enough to notice beauty that’s usually missed.

And a gentle local note: if you’re planning to visit the Narrabundah peacocks, please drive slow. The best way to meet them is to park your car and walk around—they often appear when the street gets quieter.

Bold colour, textured brushwork, and a modern-impressionist approach—designed to bring warmth, atmosphere, and a little Canberra magic into a space.

Looks great in: living rooms, entryways, studios, offices—especially where you want a vibrant focal point and a story people ask about.

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Hi, I’m Valentyna Crane — a contemporary impressionist landscape painter based in Canberra. I paint the feeling of a place: changing light, shifting atmosphere, and that sense of moving air that makes a landscape come alive.

My art journey began in Crimea, Ukraine, where I trained at the Samokish College of Fine Arts, and later completed a Master’s degree in Architecture and Landscape Design at V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University. Even earlier, my foundation was shaped by formal training at the Fine Arts School for children in Simferopol, where I studied drawing, composition, sculpture, decorative arts, and traditional painting techniques.

That classical background still supports my work today — strong structure and confident draftsmanship — but I paint with freedom: vibrant colour, luminous light, and expressive brushstrokes. My influences stretch from the Russian masters (like Repin) to the colour and light of Cézanne and Monet.

Now in Australia, I’m endlessly inspired by Canberra’s crisp air, open skies, and bush textures. I love creating paintings that feel uplifting and alive — pieces you’ll keep noticing and enjoying as you live with them.

My purpose is simple: to bring more light and beauty into the world, and to share that feeling with the people who connect with my work. If you have any questions, or you’d like to discuss a commission, I’d love to hear from you.